Lakewood, Busti To Share Code Enforcement Officer

June 7, 2014

LAKEWOOD - Residents of Busti and Lakewood will have an easier time with their code enforcement office in the near future.

Town and village officials are in the process of coming to an agreement on a shared services contract that would supply residents with a full-time code enforcement officer at a cost of $45,000, something neither municipality has had recently.

The town and village will split the cost evenly, $22,500 each, and the officer will be available to all residents Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Previously, Busti paid $20,000 for a code enforcement officer all day Monday and for half of the day on Wednesday. Lakewood previously paid $35,000 for an officer 8:30 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. In the new agreement, the town and village will be covered more hours for $10,000 less.

Currently, Jeff Swanson is the temporary full-time inspection officer until a civil service exam for the position is held. After that exam, which won't happen until at least July 23, a new full-time code enforcement officer will be hired.

Both boards are expected to vote on the new agreement at their meetings this month.